It seems like the Chrisitans burial rituals almost rival those of the ancient Egyptians. They embalm the bodies, put them in a suit, stick them in air-tight caskets and bury them deep underground with jewelry, flowers and whatever ornaments the person was attached to in life....
Oh and sometimes goodbye notes in case the person my want to look over them and see how much they are missed....
What is the purpose if you don't get your body back?
2007-03-02 00:45:47 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ah, very good question. Of course, burials and funerals are for the living not the dead. The dead could careless if they were cut up and put down a garbage disposal. They wouldn't know anyway.
Rituals are believed to help the dead move into the afterlife, like giving a dead person the last rites. They don't hear them anyway.
But over the centuries people have given unreal expections and powers to the dead, again, this is for the living not the dead, but they don't see it that way. It is just like the notion that one should not speak badly of the dead. So by that standard, Al Capone was a nice guy. Christians and other religions have a problem in that respect, because, no one should ever wish anyone to be dead. But can't argue that sometimes it is a good thing. And, personally, I believe that most people, when viewing the dead, see theirself as being there. That is, we all know we are going there. Fear. Fear of the unknown is the greatest fear anyone can have and we all have it.
So we worship the dead, and send them in a nice suit, put jewelry on them and hope that somehow that makes it easier on them and therefore easier for us. And, of course, we have made the funeral business one of the biggest scams in the process.
But my favorite one is the notion of "closure." If the dead are not properly buried then there is no closure, some believe. Of course if I am dead in the bottom of a swimming pool, I am no less dead after the living got their closure by putting me 6 ft under the ground. Again, this is for the living not the dead.
2007-03-02 01:18:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Embalming helps to preserve bodies for funerals. A foul rotting corpse would not help much with closure. Putting them in a suit adds an air of dignity to the deceased. Putting the "accessories" in the casket may help bring closure for the living.
I think I know where you're coming from. I performed I.T. work at Batesville Casket and I was amazed to see that caskets are built with little drawers and pockets for these accessories. There was a sample casket on display with golf gloves, tees, balls, and a score card neatly arranged in the snazzy little drawer and the corners of the casket exterior had golf balls on golden tees. I wondered if the caddy would be sacrificed and buried nearby while a witchdoctor officiated. Somewhat disturbing.
2007-03-02 09:11:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We get our body back, as a resurrected new body. But I don't think true Christians do all of that. Some states require embalming, and vaults.
2007-03-02 08:49:46 · answer #3 · answered by RB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually Christians believe in the "resurrection of the body", although the Bible does say the body will be changed in some way (one of the NT letters, I forget which)
2007-03-02 08:50:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll be in paradise and my dead, rotting body will be here. I don't care if the flies eat me, but out of respect for my loved ones who might be comforted if my body is carefully disposed of--i'm ok with a funeral. But, honestly I couldn't care less.
2007-03-02 08:49:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it's more for the benefit of those they left behind. I don't think the soul is attached to any of that, but it provides closure and a sense of peace for the survivors.
2007-03-02 08:49:37 · answer #6 · answered by nyboxers73 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm with you on this one and you know that I'm a christian. Good point, Sho-nuff. Just bury me in a wooden box and put me in the ground. I think it's ridiculous, no disrespect intended to Anna Nicole, that they had a designer gown made to put on her decaying body just to bury her in it. That makes no sense to me.
2007-03-02 09:21:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's more of a social norm, doubt that it has anything to do with religion.
Sort of like an emotional thing.
2007-03-02 08:52:40 · answer #8 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a good question. Why don't they just toss them in the nearest ditch?
2007-03-02 09:17:22 · answer #9 · answered by Murazor 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
$5,000 caskets. Pfft...
All you need is a shovel, and a large trash bag; like the way we buried grandma...
2007-03-02 08:49:27 · answer #10 · answered by Loathe thy neighbor. 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋